Episode 8459

< Previous | Next >

Episode 8459 was broadcast on 24 February 2025, as part of Series 91.

Christine Smith played Bill Elliott, with Christine Smith winning 97 – 13. The Dictionary Corner guest was Stephen Fry, and the lexicographer was Susie Dent.

This episode marked the debut of Dr Tom Crawford as the show's substitute arithmetician as well as the start of his three-week on-screen stint, replacing Rachel Riley while she worked on another project. As this was also the first unusual change on Countdown since 12 December 2022 when Vick Hope stood in for Susie Dent, due to Dent feeling ill at the time of that episode.

Rounds

Rnd	Selection	Christine Smith	Score	Bill Elliott	Others	Max.
1	RBAOSRITO	ARBORIST	8 – 0	rasor ☓		8
2	GMAJGURSE	MUGGERS	15 – 7	MUGGERS	GAUGERS*, JAGGERS, SMUGGER*	15
3	50 2 1 7 10 2 → 982	982 (50 × 10 − (7 + 2)) × 2	25 – 7	983		25
TTT	LAIDBEER	"This applies more to the white swan than the black bull", said Marc.			RIDEABLE
4	FDRICOANL	FLORID	31 – 7	DRAIN	FLORICAN*, IRONCLAD*	33
5	SHUITDONA	ASTOUND	38 – 7	SHUNT	DIANTHUS*, HANDOUTS, THOUSAND	41
6	25 3 6 8 2 7 → 561	—	38 – 7	565 ☓	TC: 561 = (25 × 8 − (6 + 7)) × 3	51
7	LCEUNYEQN	QUEENLY	45 – 7	QUEEN		58
8	PSNILMATI	IMPLANTS	53 – 7	SPINAL	ALPINIST, PINTAILS*, TAILSPIN*	66
9	25 8 5 2 7 2 → 760	758 (7 − 2 ÷ 2) × 5 × 25 + 8	60 – 7	765	TC: 760 = ((2 + 2) × 25 − 5) × 8	76
TTT	SITSAGES	Become windy when you clap eyes on the London arena."Clap eyes on the London arena" = "see O2" (CO2, carbon dioxide).			GASSIEST
10	PMSAEDKPA	MASKED	66 – 13	MAPPED	MEDAKAS*	83
11	TNIOTRECP	CONTRITE	74 – 13	POINTER	CORNETTI, ENTOPTIC*, ENTROPIC*, INCEPTOR*	91
12	FGUVRUATO	RAGOUT	80 – 13	GRAFT	FAVOUR*, FUGATO	97
13	DGOESRABV	BADGERS	87 – 13	BADGES	ADVERBS, AGBEROS*, BODEGAS*, BODGERS*, BORAGES*, BRAVOES*	104
14	3 8 2 9 7 4 → 114	—	87 – 13	—	TC: 114 = (7 + 4 + 8) × 3 × 2	114
15	DOCTOMERA	MOTORCADE (14.75 seconds)	97 – 13			124